Table of Contents

• What Makes This Marry Me Chicken Pasta So Great
• What Is Marry Me Chicken?
• Ingredients You’ll Need
• How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta
• Recipe Tips for Perfection
• Serving Suggestions
• Store and Reheat Leftovers
• More Chicken Pasta Recipes
• Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe

What Makes This Marry Me Chicken Pasta So Great

• A Universal Family Favorite. There’s an undeniable magic in a creamy pasta dish that makes it universally appealing, and this Marry Me Chicken pasta is no exception. Its rich, savory profile and comforting texture appeal to even the pickiest eaters, making dinner time a breeze. From the moment the enticing aroma fills your kitchen to the last delicious bite, this dish promises to be a crowd-pleaser. The combination of its deeply flavorful sauce, tender chicken, and surprisingly quick preparation ensures it’s a meal my family can enjoy again and again without ever growing tired of it. It’s a go-to for busy evenings when you want something satisfying and truly delicious.
• Incredibly Rich and Flavorful. If you’ve had the pleasure of tasting the original Marry Me Chicken, you already know the unparalleled deliciousness of its signature sauce. In this pasta rendition, that very same creamy sun-dried tomato sauce reaches new heights. It lovingly coats every single piece of chicken and strand of pasta, enveloping each component in a harmonious blend of sweet, tangy, savory, and aromatic flavors. The sun-dried tomatoes contribute a concentrated sweetness and umami, while garlic and Italian herbs add depth, and Parmesan cheese brings a salty, nutty finish. The result is a profoundly satisfying dish that feels indulgent yet is surprisingly simple to achieve.
• Quick, Easy, and Convenient. One of the greatest advantages of this recipe is its efficiency. After the initial step of cooking your pasta, the rest of the magic happens in a single skillet, simplifying both the cooking process and cleanup. The entire recipe from start to finish takes just about 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for those hectic weeknights when time is of the essence. However, its sophisticated flavor profile also makes it perfectly suitable for special occasions or when you want to impress without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the ultimate combination of speed, ease, and gourmet taste.

What Is Marry Me Chicken?

The intriguing name “Marry Me Chicken” stems from a delightful culinary legend, popularized by sites like Delish.com. The story goes that this chicken dinner is so exceptionally delicious, it just might inspire a marriage proposal by the time you reach the last bite. The original recipe typically features perfectly pan-seared, juicy chicken breasts, simmered in an incredibly rich and velvety cream sauce. This sauce is famously flavored with fragrant sun-dried tomatoes, robust garlic, and a blend of aromatic Italian seasonings, creating a dish that’s both comforting and gourmet. This pasta adaptation masterfully takes all those beloved, enchanting flavors and transforms them into a quick, easy, and satisfying skillet dinner. I can confidently attest that even in its pasta form, it remains an instant love-at-first-bite experience that lives up to its romantic name!

If you’re already a devotee of the original Marry Me Chicken recipe and its rich, comforting flavors, you’ll likely also enjoy exploring similar culinary delights such as this Italian stuffed chicken, the timeless comfort of classic baked chicken parmesan, and the creamy goodness of creamy chicken stroganoff. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

Just envisioning this ingredient list starts my mouth watering! Each component plays a crucial role in building the incredible depth of flavor for our Marry Me Chicken Pasta. I’ve included some quick notes below to guide you. For a complete, printable list with precise measurements and full recipe details, please scroll down to the comprehensive recipe card after this post.

• Pasta – The beauty of this recipe is its versatility when it comes to pasta shapes. While I personally enjoy using pipe rigate (which I often find in multipacks from Costco) because its ridges and hollow interior are perfect for trapping the creamy sauce, feel free to use any dried pasta variety you prefer. Excellent alternatives include conchiglie (shells), rigatoni, macaroni, penne, or bowtie pasta (farfalle). Even long-cut pastas such as spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine work wonderfully, though you might need a slightly larger skillet for tossing. The key is to cook it al dente!
• Chicken – For optimal tenderness and flavor, opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Thighs tend to be more forgiving and stay juicier. Regardless of your choice, ensure the chicken is diced into small, uniform bite-sized chunks. This not only ensures even cooking but also means every forkful of pasta will include a perfect piece of chicken.
• Seasonings – A foundational blend of spices is essential for building flavor from the ground up. You’ll need onion powder and garlic powder for a savory depth, robust Italian seasoning (I highly recommend my homemade Italian seasoning for superior aroma, but a good quality store-bought blend works perfectly), plus freshly ground salt and black pepper to taste. These seasonings work in harmony to enhance the chicken’s natural flavors before it even hits the pan.
• Oil and Butter – The combination of extra virgin olive oil (or a neutral vegetable oil) and butter is crucial for sautéing. The oil provides a higher smoke point, allowing for a good sear on the chicken, while the butter adds a rich, nutty flavor that forms the delicious base of our sauce. This duo creates a perfectly balanced cooking fat.
• Garlic – Freshly minced garlic is non-negotiable for this recipe. Its pungent, aromatic qualities are essential to the Italian-inspired flavor profile of the Marry Me Chicken sauce. Avoid pre-minced jarred garlic if possible, as fresh cloves offer a far superior taste and aroma.
• Flour – A small amount of all-purpose flour is used to create a simple roux. This crucial step helps to thicken the sauce, giving it that luxurious, creamy consistency we crave, ensuring it clings beautifully to every piece of pasta and chicken. Cook the flour briefly with the butter and oil to remove any raw flour taste.
• Tomato Paste – This concentrated paste is a powerhouse of rich, umami tomato flavor. It adds depth and a beautiful hue to the sauce. While tomato paste offers the most intense flavor, in a pinch, you could try a small amount of a very thick tomato sauce or even a marinara sauce, though the flavor profile would be slightly different.
• Chicken Broth – I always recommend using low-sodium chicken broth or stock. This allows you to control the overall saltiness of your dish more precisely. Chicken broth provides a savory liquid base for the sauce, integrating all the flavors. If chicken broth is unavailable, a good quality vegetable stock can be used as a suitable substitute.
• Heavy Cream – This is the secret to the sauce’s signature richness and velvety texture. Heavy cream is essential; I strongly advise against swapping it for regular milk or half-and-half, as lower-fat dairy products are much more prone to curdling when exposed to heat, which could ruin the sauce’s smooth consistency.
• Sun-dried Tomatoes – These are a star ingredient, providing a burst of intense, sweet-tart, and savory flavor. Pick up your favorite jar of sun-dried tomatoes, preferably those packed in oil, as their oil can also be used to enhance the flavor when sautéing. Chop them finely to ensure their flavor is distributed throughout the sauce.
• Parmesan – For the absolute best flavor and melt, grate your Parmesan cheese fresh from the block. Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting smoothly into the sauce. Freshly grated Parmesan will melt beautifully, adding a salty, nutty, and wonderfully umami finish.
• Basil and Red Pepper Flakes – Stirring in fresh basil leaves at the end adds a vibrant pop of green color and a burst of fresh, peppery aroma, though it’s an optional addition. For those who appreciate a gentle warmth, crushed red pepper flakes introduce a subtle hint of heat to the sauce. If you or your family are sensitive to spice, these can be easily omitted without compromising the dish’s core flavors.

How to Make Marry Me Chicken Pasta

Here’s a clear, step-by-step overview of just how incredibly easy it is to create this luscious, creamy Marry Me Chicken pasta. The beauty of this recipe is that the entire, flavor-packed meal comes together primarily in a single skillet, with just one additional pot needed to boil the pasta. This streamlined process makes it perfect for busy evenings. For detailed, printable recipe instructions and exact measurements, please scroll down to the comprehensive recipe card below this section.

Recipe Tips for Perfection

Achieving restaurant-quality results with your Marry Me Chicken pasta is easier than you think with these simple, yet effective tips:

• Season Your Pasta Water Generously. This is perhaps one of the most important but often overlooked steps in pasta making. Before you add your pasta to the boiling water, add 2-3 generous spoonfuls of table salt. The water should taste like the ocean! Salting the water seasons the pasta from the inside out as it cooks, infusing it with flavor rather than just coating it with sauce. Just remember to be mindful of adding additional salt to the finished dish if you plan on using this salted pasta water to thin out your sauce.
• Never Discard That Pasta Water! Continuing on the subject of pasta water, always remember to reserve at least one cup of it before draining your cooked pasta. This starchy, savory liquid is a chef’s secret weapon. The starches released from the pasta during cooking are perfect for adding extra flavor and helping to emulsify and bind the cream sauce, creating a silkier, richer texture that clings beautifully to the pasta. This simple trick can elevate almost any pasta sauce!
• Ensure Even Chicken Pieces. When dicing your chicken breasts or thighs, strive for pieces that are roughly the same size. This seemingly small detail is crucial because it ensures that all the chicken cooks evenly and at the same rate. Unevenly cut chicken can lead to some pieces being overcooked and dry, while others are undercooked, compromising the overall texture and safety of your dish.
• Don’t Overcook the Chicken. Once the chicken pieces are browned and cooked through, remove them from the pan. If left in the pan while you prepare the sauce, they can continue to cook and become dry and tough. Covering them loosely with foil helps to retain their warmth and juiciness until they are ready to be reintroduced to the sauce.
• Taste and Adjust Seasoning. Always taste your sauce before combining everything and again at the very end. Flavors can change as ingredients meld. You might find you need a little more salt, pepper, or even a dash more Italian seasoning or red pepper flakes to perfectly suit your palate. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!

Serving Suggestions

While this creamy Marry Me Chicken pasta is incredibly satisfying and robust enough to stand on its own as a complete meal, pairing it with a few simple sides can elevate your dining experience even further. To turn it into a truly memorable feast, consider serving it alongside a crisp, refreshing Caesar salad. The bright, tangy dressing and crunchy croutons provide a wonderful contrast to the rich pasta. And, of course, no Italian-inspired meal is complete without a warm, fluffy side of bread; a bowl of delectable garlic knots or soft, buttery breadsticks are perfect for soaking up every last drop of that incredible sauce. We also love this simple tossed salad or another vibrant veggie side, like perfectly seasoned roasted green beans. For a sweet conclusion, why not indulge in some nostalgic lunch lady brownies for dessert?

Store and Reheat Leftovers

One of the best things about this Marry Me Chicken pasta is that it tastes just as delicious, if not more so, the next day! Here’s how to properly store and reheat any scrumptious leftovers:

• Refrigerate. To keep your leftovers fresh and delicious, store any remaining Marry Me Chicken pasta in an airtight container. Place it in the refrigerator promptly, where it will remain good for up to 4 days. Due to the nature of creamy, dairy-based sauces, they generally don’t hold up well to freezing, as the texture can become grainy upon thawing. Therefore, I highly recommend enjoying this recipe fresh or within the refrigerated timeframe.
• Reheat. When you’re ready to enjoy your leftovers, you have a couple of convenient options for reheating. You can warm the pasta gently in the microwave in short bursts, stirring occasionally, or reheat it on the stovetop in a skillet over medium-low heat. As creamy sauces tend to thicken significantly when chilled, I find it helpful to add a splash of chicken broth or even just a little water while reheating. This helps to loosen the sauce back to its original velvety consistency and keeps the pasta from drying out. Stir gently until heated through and the sauce is smooth again.

More Chicken Pasta Recipes

If you’re a fan of the delightful combination of chicken and pasta, there’s a world of culinary possibilities waiting for you to explore. Here are some other fantastic chicken pasta recipes that are sure to become new family favorites, offering a diverse range of flavors and styles:

• Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta
• Buffalo Chicken Pasta
• Chicken Pesto Pasta
• Creamy Cajun Pasta
• Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo